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Israel Blocks iPad Imports, Citing Wi-Fi Transmission Regulations

Posted by timothy on from the we're-looking-for-droids dept.

unixcrab writes with this excerpt from The Mac Observer: "Apple's iPad is proving to be popular everywhere — except Israel. The country's Communication Ministry is refusing to let people bring the multimedia tablet into the country because it hasn't tested and approved the Wi-Fi technology used in the device, according to Haaretz. Ministry officials commented, 'The iPad device sold exclusively today in the United States operates at broadcast power levels [over its Wi-Fi modem] compatible with American standards. As the Israeli regulations in the area of Wi-Fi are similar to European standards, which are different from American standards, which permit broadcasting at lower power, therefore the broadcast levels of the device prevent approving its use in Israel.' The government seems serious about its iPad import ban. Customs officials have already confiscated ten iPads and told their owners to ship them overseas."

9 of 204 comments (clear)

  1. Aw poor Apple by aztektum · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Held to a countries regulations. Oh wait, they had to pass FCC testing here too. Big whoopie fucking do.

    --
    :: aztek ::
    No sig for you!!
  2. For travelers by WiiVault · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I think the concern is more about travelers coming from North America. As somebody who has brought tons of American bought laptops into Israel I find this very strange indeed.

  3. Coincidence? by whisper_jeff · · Score: 5, Funny

    Is it coincidence that iPads are being "confiscated" shortly after Apple announced the international launch of the iPad was being delayed? I think not! :)

  4. Nothing to do with Apple by SuperKendall · · Score: 5, Insightful

    This is users bringing devices from overseas, having them confiscated. The ones Apple sells there would presumably meet whatever standard is required for the country.

    So, I'd say poor users, being foolish enough to actually declare a device too small to really detect by customs. That'll learn 'em.

    --
    "There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
  5. This should not be news! by stm2 · · Score: 4, Interesting

    That is pretty common in a lot of countries.
    In Argentina, if you import a device with a plug different from our official plug (in size and shape), the import can be rejected.
    Even if you could buy a cheap adapter in order to make it work (provided that the voltage is compatible), you are banner for importing until you request a device with the right plug.
    So some people end up paying bribes to enter such a devices.

    --
    DNA in your Linux: DNALinux
  6. Re:Simple solution by zero_out · · Score: 4, Informative

    For those who are unaware, you can click on the Prefs button at the bottom of this page, and change your settings to not display signatures in comments. I know that the parent was just trolling, but I think this is a handy piece of information that some people don't know.

  7. 802.11a - 5.5Ghz and up is no go in Israel by RichMan · · Score: 4, Informative

    5Ghz is where a lot of military radar like stuff operates. In particular Israel has specific 802.11a restrictions
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_WLAN_channels

    5.5Gz up is a not supposed to be used in Israel, but is open for use in US, Japan and Europe.

    Here is a good, but not current, discussion of the various issues around wifi.
    http://wifinetnews.com/archives/2007/01/5_ghz_or_bust.html

  8. Re:FUCK THE IPAD! by CorporateSuit · · Score: 4, Funny

    Have you considered moving to Israel?

    --
    I am the richest astronaut ever to win the superbowl.
  9. Other countries' laws. The US is the exception. by gavron · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Israel isn't the exception. The US is. This is the only country to have certified the use of the apple toy.

    We make a big deal of having people who come to OUR country respect OUR laws. That means a cellphone jammer that's legal in the UK cannot be brought nor used into this country. Laptops get confiscated and searched at the border, and people are interrogated about cash. We can discuss the libertarian aspects in the other 1700 threads... BUT

    Israel is doing no differently than WE do. Their communication ministry (equivalent of our FCC) dictates what is ok and what isn't, and just as the apple toys are not certified for use in Europe they are not certified for use in Israel.

    I'm sorry you don't like that your laptop can be confiscated. I'm sorry you think it would be worse if you're on a business trip. Don't bring drugs to Singapore, icrap to Israel, or laptops with kiddie porn to the US. You'll lose them and your liberty.

    This "article" is worthless because it implies Israel is the exception. In fact it's we who are the exception.

    Time to drop the false sense of outrage and enlightenment and respect other countries rights not to live by our (US) laws.

    E